How to Stop Obsessing About the Perfect Job

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average late born baby boomer changed jobs every 2-3 years between the ages of 18 and 48. That’s a lot of different jobs over a 30 year period!

Of course, some of those job changes may have been necessary. They have been made to escape bad working conditions or intolerable bosses. Others could have been made as people moved up the ladder of success.

So, is it possible to stop obsessing about the perfect job? Here are some ideas to help.

Understanding

One thing that may help if you are one of those people who obsess about finding the perfect job is to figure out why you are obsessing in the first place. Some job positions have appeal due to the status you would hold from being in that position itself. There are also jobs that could hold your interest because they are simply higher paying than the job you are currently at. However, it isn’t always that simple.

The facts are that people who are dissatisfied with their jobs are usually unhappy for several reasons. By understanding why you are not happy in your current job, you can figure out why you are obsessing about a perfect one. Then you can break the cycle.

Face Reality

There are some people who will turn down job offers because the job isn’t what they want even though they need the work and the pay. In order to help you stop obsessing about the perfect job you need to get your head out of the clouds and face reality. No job is going to solve every problem or be the “end all be all” of jobs. That makes letting a good job offer pass you by because you are holding out for the perfect job a mistake that could cost you a good job or even a great career.

Compromise

In order to be happy in your job you need to learn how to compromise. Do you have the task of making the coffee each morning for the whole office because you are the first one there? Is it something you hate to do? Guess what? Everyone has tasks in their job they really love to do and others that are not as enjoyable.

In order to help you stop fantasizing about the ideal job you need to realize that every job requires compromise. You balance the tasks you like to do with the ones you don’t. Whenever possible, do what you dislike as quickly, correctly, and efficiently as you can so you can move on to doing what you really like to do.

Finding a great job isn’t always easy and it’s ok to want to be successful and move up the ladder. Just don’t obsess about the perfect job to the point that you turn down or leave jobs that are great in search of the one that is perfect. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Have you ever been obsessed with finding the perfect job? How did you get over it?

About Kayla Sloan

Kayla is a mid-20s single girl living in the Midwest, USA. She is focused on paying off her consumer and student loans, while simplifying her life and closet. You can join her on her journey at ShoeaholicNoMore or follow her on Twitter.

4 comments

I’ve had plenty of moments like that in my life. For awhile, I wasn’t even sure what I wanted to do career-wise, and kept taking a bunch of career tests. I also don’t think there’s such thing as perfect.

I’m constantly obsessed with finding a BETTER job, but I know the perfect job isn’t really out there. Nothing is all lilies and roses, after all, and work is still work. It’s going to suck at some points no matter what. But I do think it’s healthy to aim for a job where you’ll be happy. Right now I’m pretty unhappy at work, so I’m trying to grow other opportunities to be happy with what I do.

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